Page 22 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
Sophie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re feeling maudlin, aren’t you? We need cake.”
“I’m not—” she protested, but Sophie was already on her feet and walking away.
When she returned, it was with Mrs. Baker close behind, carrying a tea tray on which were two small pieces of cake.
“Here you go, dear.” Mrs. Baker fussed with the tray, positioning it on a small table between them. She then poured tea before tailoring it to each of their preferences.
“Thank you, Mrs. Baker.” Kate didn’t think she could stomach any food, but she appreciated both Sophie’s and the cook’s efforts to improve her mood.
“You’re very welcome, Lady Katherine.”
Mrs. Baker retreated, and Sophie enthusiastically bit a chunk out of her cake.
“So good,” she murmured after swallowing. “Mother is less concerned about me watching my figure than she was about Violet and Emma with theirs, but we still don’t get cake often. You should have some.”
Kate studied the cake reluctantly. It was nice that Sophie was trying to help, but she really didn’t think that a piece of cake would solve anything.
“Go on,” Sophie encouraged.
With a sigh, Kate picked up the cake and nibbled on the edge. Her mouth was dry, and it was difficult to swallow. As she’d expected, the tiny mouthful sat uncomfortably in her gut and didn’t help at all.
A carriage pulled up outside, and she frowned. She didn’t recognize the crest on its door.
“Who’s that?” Sophie asked around a mouthful of cake.
“I’ve no idea.”
They watched together as a tall gentleman in a hat got out of the carriage and marched straight up to the door. They waited for Boden to turn him away, but when he entered the house, Kate sat up straighter.
Oh, heavens. It was him.
Lord Blackwell was here.
CHAPTER 7
“The Drakes are not receivingcallers this morning,” the butler informed Theo crisply.
“I believe they’ll be at home for me.” Theo withdrew his card from his pocket and offered it to the man, who read the name and curled his lip as if he’d smelled something rotten.
“As you say.” The butler stepped aside to let him in.
Theo entered before the butler could change his mind and waited while he closed the door. He was relieved to get out of the rain, which had eased in the past hour but showed no signs of stopping yet.
“I’ll show you to the earl’s office. I assume you wish to speak with him?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Actually, he’d like to make the acquaintance of the chit he’d supposedly ruined, but he could understand why he wouldn’t be allowed direct access to her considering the circumstances. Goddamn Nicholas.
He wasn’t surprised that the Drakes weren’t receiving callers today. He hated to think how many gossips and opportunists must have turned up on the doorstep in the hopes of findingout what the awful Viscount Blackwell had done to that sweet innocent girl.
Thanks, Nicholas.
If his brother never put another foot out of line, it would be too soon. Theo deserved an award for taking his frustration out on a bag of sand rather than his twin. Perhaps it would have been for the best if he had blackened one of Nicholas’s eyes. At least then he wouldn’t venture out into society and do any more damage until the eye had healed.
He followed the butler down a corridor to a closed door. The butler knocked.
“Come in,” a male voice called.
